Dumpster diving for a cause: Polar Plunge participants chill out for Special Olympics

Saturday

Feb 22, 2014 at 5:45 PM

By Andrea.Goodell@HollandSentinel.com(616) 546-4275

“It was a shock. Once you hit the water, it’s not that bad. The anticipation was worse,” said Marcela Gutierrez.The Holland woman participated in the Holland Polar Plunge for Special Olympics on Saturday because of her uncle and niece, who have Down syndrome, and her brother, who has autism.The walk from the dive to the changing trailer wasn’t great either.“Almost there, almost there,” a dripping wet Gutierrez chattered as she trotted to the relative warmth of the trailer.This is the plunge’s fourth and biggest year, said Ashley Diersch, marketing and development director for Special Olympics in southwest Michigan.About 200 made the plunge with several hundred spectators and supporters looking on, thankful it wasn’t them. The weather cooperated, as far as winter weather can, with sunshine and little wind, bringing out more people willing to jump into 30-degree water.Many made the plunge in costume. The “Happily Never After” team won the costume contest with Wendy, Peter Pan and the gang. Even with the array of super heroes, "Star Wars" characters, animals, clowns and one man in nothing but a Speedo and a bandanna, Chris Moureau stood out. His fire engine-red wig, make-up and halter top were the result of a lost bet, one he was happy to lose.“I dared all my friends on Facebook to raise $700. We’ve raised $1,200 so far,” he said.He and his daughters participate in numerous charity events every year, he said.The Holland Polar Plunge for Special Olympics is one of 30 across the state between January and March.It’s the first year the event has been at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds, which was missing one thing to be the perfect place for a chilly dip — water.No matter. A 40-foot-by-6-foot trash bin, lined in plastic served the purpose. Organizers jokingly called the event a “Dumpster dive.” The fairgrounds does offer something else the Special Olympics needed for its event, a sizable indoor space to warm up afterward with soup, chili, coffee and hot chocolate.“Primarily, we wanted to get a place we wouldn’t outgrow,” Diersch said.In future years, she hopes to allow some of the Special Olympians to showcase their athletic ability in events such as cross-country skiing, so participants can get an idea of what they’re supporting.Although the fundraising goal was $21,000, Holland’s Polar Plunge crashed through that to raise $32,000 for Special Olympics.“Apparently, the polar vortex hasn‘t scared people away,” Diersch joked.— Follow this reporter on Facebook and on Twitter, @SentinelAndrea.